BCS Computers Winners; Aggies’ defense loser; College Football Week 8

Winners: It’s popular to bash the BCS. Get in you licks while you can because it goes away after this season. But the computers were smarter than the humans in the first BCS rankings of this season, placing Florida State No. 1 ahead of No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Missouri and No. 4 Oregon. Florida State’s 51-14 victory at Clemson was impressive to say the least. When you add the human components, the Seminoles were still No. 2 behind Alabama with Oregon No. 3, Ohio State No. 4 and Missouri No. 5. But the Seminoles should enjoy their time near the top. Oregon is likely to jump them before the end of the season because of strength of schedule.

Losers: Humans. Are we sure we want the four championships finalists in the new system to be implemented next season chosen solely by that underdeveloped species? Forget the top of the rankings. Texas A&M (5-2) at No. 15 remains rated ahead of Auburn (6-1) in the coaches poll even though the Tigers beat the Aggies at Kyle Field on Saturday. In both the coaches and the AP polls, Louisville (6-1) remains rated ahead of University of Central Florida )5-1) despite a loss to UCF on Saturday.

Losers: This is not a new theme, Johnny Manziel having to overcome the opposing defense but also his own. In the Aggies’ two losses, they have allowed 49 points to Alabama and 45 to Auburn. They have allowed fewer than 30 points twice, 28 to SMU and 13 to Sam Houston State.

Winners: University of Houston and Rice. The Cougars lost their first game of the season Saturday to BYU but played better against those Cougars in a one-point loss than Texas did earlier this season. UH (5-1) is one win short of bowl eligibility. It might not get it Saturday at Rutgers, which has lost only to Fresno State, in overtime, and Louisville but should the following Thursday on Halloween night at Reliant Stadium against University of South Florida. Rice, 5-2, should be bowl eligible after Saturday, when it plays UTEP. The Owls appear on track for a 10-win season.

Losers: Grambling. The players stood up to the administration, citing unsafe conditions in the locker room with a floor that is coming apart, mildew and mold. They also talked about the failure to clean their uniforms and bus rides of 14 and 17 hours. Their boycott caused Grambling to cancel its game last Saturday at Jackson State, although the university said this week’s game against Texas Southern will be played. The university says state budget cuts have caused it to reassess how it spends money in every area, including athletics. It could be the university no longer will be able to afford football. That would be a shame considering its rich history in the sport. But difficult decisions need to be made. It’s not right to place your athletes in unsanitary conditions.

Winners: Baylor scored 71 points in a 64-point victory over Iowa State, a team Texas beat by one point, 31-30. The Bears are for real, No. 8 in the BCS rankings, and could be higher if they could schedule better non-conference teams. They, by the way, have won 10 consecutive games and 17 of their last 18 at Floyd Casey Stadium. Are they sure they want to move?

Winners: Heisman watchers. This should be a race to finish between quarterbacks Marcus Mariota of Oregon, Jameis Winston of Florida State and Manziel. Mariota appears to have the lead at this point, but anything can happen. Recall last season when everyone all but awarded the trophy to West Virginia’s Geno Smith, then Kansas State’s Collin Klein before the voters gave it to Manziel.